Last Monday, in the fixture soon to be known as the Oil Rag derby – at least by my regular readers, Chelsea hosted Manchester City at Stamford Bridge, with the Premier League leaders 10 points clear of their hosts. A week and two fixtures later, including Manchester City ’s first loss all season to a media-persecuted Chelsea side, and the gap between the two sides has only shrunk by one to nine points.

Before the game, Roberto Mancini was quick to display his awareness of his fellow title contenders, in a season where pundits and press continue to link City and the title synonymously, “I think [Chelsea] can win it,” said Mancini , of the side that won the title in 2010, “Last year Chelsea had a big lead [over Manchester United ] but in the end United won the title by seven or eight points plus,” stated the Italian, showing an appreciation of Ferguson’s bounce-back-ability. It is a threat that Manchester City are fully aware of, “In my opinion, United are still favourites.

They’ve been there and done it,” said Manchester City right back Micah Richards , “United were favourites at the start of the season and regardless of how we’ve played, they are still firm favourites,” continued the defender, downplaying a derby demolition of United, that saw 6-1 illuminate the Old Trafford scoreboard.

The words may have seemed unambitious to title-aspiring Citizens, especially considering they went on to lose to to Andre Villas-Boas ’ men, but in hindsight the consciousness displayed was wise.

Despite losing, ultimately to a Frank Lampard penalty fired home straight down the middle, Manchester City revived their run of form instantaneously, winning a less than straightforward tie against Arsenal at Etihad on Sunday. A David Silva goal was enough to secure all three points in a game which ensured Manchester City would have the status as top for Christmas in their own hands, something they’ve achieved three times previously, but never going on to win the league. Silva ’s goal was Man City’s 50th Premier League goal this season, 16 games in, making them the fastest team to reach this tally since Spurs in 1962/63. Their 1-0 victory against the Gunners was their last fixture against teams in the top 7.

In their fixtures against Manchester United, Tottenham, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle, City have acquired 13 points from an available 18, losing only once – their only loss all season. This is where Manchester City are proving their mettle, with Mancini, against the best. Last season, Manchester City gained just 9 points against the 2009/10 Top Four. This season, Manchester City have already levelled that points tally against the Top Four of 2010/11, excluding themselves.

This potential, and most-importantly on-target, improvement in form against the top teams in the Premier League, is where Manchester City can make up the points that will keep their heads above, who they consider, the favourites still, Manchester United. Last season City proved that they could start rolling out default victories against the lesser teams of the division, picking up 18 points from 18 against the three teams promoted to the Premier League.

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They’ve done it again so far this season too, picking up victories against Q.P.R, Norwich and Swansea, but last year’s campaign questioned City’s credentials as title contenders as they came unstuck against the bigger teams. Convincing and at times comprehensive, defeats to Manchester United , Chelsea , Arsenal and Liverpool ensured that Manchester City finished 3rd, 9 points off of their rivals, Manchester United, who won the top-flight for the 19th time.

This season it is Manchester City that can go into Christmas as the league leaders, but it isn’t just their improved form against the top teams that are keeping Manchester City as the pace setters. In a modern game, increasingly lacking in demure, it is Mancini ’s modest approach, becoming more and more transpired through his players too with every interview, that could act as a strong foundation for the richly-assembled squad to go on and win City’s first top-flight title in over 40 years.

“We can’t think that we can win the title without a fight from United,” said Mancini, appreciating that experience can often stand strong against talent, “It’s impossible.” Mancini’s demeanour, the coiffed hair, brazen scarf and affable suits make his appeal all the more thorough and the attitude he display, is setting his players in the right mindset for a title challenge in which, despite the evident quality and unparalleled form so far this season, they don’t seem to be the favourites to everyone.

If there’s one man you want on board to disseminate a message from the manager to the fans, the players, the world, it is the only player playing every week that has been there since his youth career: Micah Richards .

“Just because we were clear for so long does not mean we’re going to walk the title,” said the England international, “In my mind there is no pressure on us because teams like United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have been doing it for so long.” He continued to emphasize the Mancini-imposed philosophy of continuity, which is becoming ever more present at the Etihad – they’re unbeaten there in 2011 at home winning 26 from 28 and drawing two, “‘It’s about carrying on doing what we’ve been doing.

We’ve done well because we feel there’s no pressure on us.

We just go out and play our football.” If City continues to impress against the best, there is no stopping them in their quest for the Premier League, ‘We came into the season just trying to build on last time and fighting United, who are current champions. To win the league would be a massive achievement.”

Article courtesy of Jordan Florit from This is Futbol

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